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Minister Ngubane Joins Foreign Service
Pretoria - President Thabo Mbeki announces that Dr Ben
Ngubane will leave his position as Minister of Arts,
Culture, Science and Technology as of today (Monday,
February 02, 2004). Minister Ngubane will join the diplomatic
service.
The President has decided to assign Minister Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka the additional responsibility of the Ministry
of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology with immediate
effect. She will remain in her position as Minister
of Minerals and Energy Affairs. President Mbeki said
he had no doubt that she would execute this additional
task with the same diligence she had shown at Minerals
and Energy.
The President expressed his warm gratitude to Dr Ngubane
for having distinguished himself as an outstanding minister
since his appointment. Dr Ngubane had displayed his
leadership acumen by guiding his ministry successfully
through a difficult process of transformation and restructuring.
He had earned wide respect and support and had been
an asset in executive governance.
Minister Ngubane was the first Minister of Arts, Culture,
Science and Technology in Democratic South Africa. He
laid the foundations for the transformation of this
ministry both in policy and legislative frameworks.
Internationally, he has positioned South Africa as
a major and influential contributor to the development
of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
He leaves behind a solid framework that will serve
as the basis for engaging with the challenges of the
next decade of freedom and democracy.
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo on 083 256 9133.
Presidential Spokesperson/Chief Director: Communications
The Presidency
Tel. + 27 12 300 5436
Fax. +27 12 323 6080
Cell. +27 83 256 9133
2 February 2004
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